Tag: 2020 sulphur cap

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reminds members and interested parties that from March 1st, 2020, all vessels are prohibited from carrying fuel oil with a sulphur content greater than 0.50% m/m.

Korean Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) expects to gain momentum in 2020, following the strengthened emission regulations which will force shippers to replace their old vessels, as Hyundai Heavy Industries' Senior Vice President reported.

According to a recent statement, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), highlighted the findings of three independent reports released in 2019 suggesting that, when operated in open-loop mode, Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), also known as scrubbers, have minimal impact on water and sediment quality.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will test biofuel as a bunkering fuel for ships, in an effort to comply with the 2020 sulphur cap, the chief executive of the company's logistics and services subsidiary said.

India has exempted very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) used by ships from import tax, federal budget documents for 2020/21 show, in an effort to reduce costs for local shipping companies.

The shipping industry is in the midst of a considerable challenge in the form of Low Sulphur 2020. However it is arguable that ‘change’ is becoming the new ‘normal’; after all, the industry continues to meet the challenges imposed by the introduction of ECDIS. It seems that managing significant industry-wide changes of that nature will become more common and frequent than in the past, notes Mr. Carl Durow, Loss Prevention Manager, London P&I Club.

According to Reuters, Sinopec Corp's refinery and petrochemical complex in Tianjin will shut down for two months, starting in early May, for a regular revamp with the aim to cut its crude throughput by about 2 million tonnes this year.

The Italian refiner Saras launched its very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) in early September, with its sails now having topped 120,000 tonnes, following the implementation of IMO's 2020 sulphur cap regulation. The Italian refiner is targeting 550,000 tonnes of VLSFO and 180,000 tonnes of marine gasoil (MGO) in annual sales, as Reuters reports.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the 'Fuel Sulfur and Other Operational Requirements for Ocean-Going Vessels within California Waters and 24 Nautical Miles of the California Baseline' (OGV Fuel Regulation) in 2008. CARB reminds vessel owners and operators that the requirements under the OGV Fuel Regulation are still in effect. 

As the 2020 sulphur cap entered into force, the shipping industry saw the introduction of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oils (VLSFOs), which has been increasing since October 2019. However, VPS notes that a rise has been observed in fuel instability leading to sediment formation from these fuels.